Broncos captain Sam Thaiday back to full fitness and ready to rip in ahead of NRL kickoff

SAM Thaiday will enter the NRL season feeling like a brand new footballer with the Brisbane forward having rebuilt his body after a decade of being battered.

Broncos skipper Thaiday was so severely hampered by a shoulder injury last year that his gym program was drastically cut back to lifting weights that were only one-third of his full capability.

Thaiday did not have full range of movement in his shoulders and was forced to bench press without allowing the bar to touch his chest.

But off-season shoulder surgery, which ruled him out of the end-of-season Test match, has allowed the 27-year-old to return better than ever.

Thaiday is fully fit, has no exercise restrictions and is ready to rip in as a starting front-rower on Friday night against Manly.

"It's the first full preseason I've done for a few years now. I'm very happy to have done that, the body feels fresh and fit and I'm ready to go," Thaiday said.

Having revealed he felt like he was "drowning" in leadership issues during his first season as skipper, Thaiday said part of his problem was his playing form dipped as he struggled with the shoulder issues. He wanted to lead from the front.

The Queensland Origin star enters 2013 with a stronger mind as well after undertaking leadership training with the club.

"I have learnt to concentrate on myself first and make sure my own game is right," Thaiday said.

"Once I've got myself playing some good footy I can start worrying about the team then."

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